Redirecting delivery catheter and methods of use thereof

Abstract

A redirecting delivery catheter includes a first longitudinal member having an inner chamber configured to receive a second longitudinal member, an outer surface surrounding the inner chamber, a first region located at a proximal end, a second region located at a distal end, and a length. An opening in the outer surface extends along a portion of the length of the first longitudinal member between the first region and the second region. A deflecting mechanism is located proximate to the opening and is configured to be capable of transforming from a first position to a second position. The deflecting mechanism is configured to enable the second longitudinal member to access the second region in the second position and to deflect the second longitudinal member towards the opening in the first position. Methods of use of the redirecting delivery catheter are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A redirecting delivery catheter, comprising:
 a first longitudinal member having an inner chamber configured to receive a second longitudinal member, an outer surface surrounding the inner chamber, a first region located at a proximal end, a second region located at a distal end, and a length; 
 an opening in the outer surface extending along a portion of the length of the first longitudinal member between the first region and the second region; 
 a deflecting mechanism located proximate to the opening and configured to be capable of transforming from a first position to a second position, wherein the deflecting mechanism is configured to enable the second longitudinal member to access the second region when the deflecting mechanism is in the second position and to deflect the second longitudinal member toward the opening when the deflecting mechanism is in the first position; and 
 a support element coupled to the deflecting mechanism to support the deflecting mechanism in transforming from the first position to the second position, wherein the support element comprises one of a compressible circular ring configured to extend at least partially around the inner chamber when the deflecting mechanism is in the second position and to compress to a semicircular configuration when the deflecting mechanism is in the first position or a first magnet positioned on the deflecting mechanism to be in contact with a second magnet, positioned on the first longitudinal member, when the deflecting mechanism is in the first position. 
 
     
     
       2. The catheter of  claim 1  further comprising one or more radiopaque markers disposed near the opening. 
     
     
       3. The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the first or second region has a helical exterior. 
     
     
       4. The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the first or second region comprises a plurality of wires. 
     
     
       5. The catheter of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of wires comprise at least two different diameters. 
     
     
       6. The catheter of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of wires are configured to be electrodes or conductive wires. 
     
     
       7. The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the inner chamber is configured to receive a guidewire. 
     
     
       8. A recanalization system, comprising:
 a guidewire; and 
 a redirecting delivery catheter comprising:
 a first longitudinal member having an inner chamber configured to receive the guidewire, an outer surface surrounding the inner chamber, a first region located at a proximal end, a second region located at a distal end, and a length; 
 an opening in the outer surface extending along a portion of the length of the first longitudinal member between the first region and the second region; 
 a deflecting mechanism located proximate to the opening and configured to be capable of transforming from a first position to a second position, wherein the deflecting mechanism is configured to enable the guidewire to access the second region when the deflecting mechanism is in the second position and to deflect the guidewire towards the opening when the deflecting mechanism is in the first position; and 
 a support element coupled to the deflecting mechanism to support the deflecting mechanism in transforming from the first position to the second position, wherein the support element comprises one of a compressible circular ring configured to extend at least partially around the inner chamber when the deflecting mechanism is in the second position and to compress to a semicircular configuration when the deflecting mechanism is in the first position or a first magnet positioned on the deflecting mechanism to be in contact with a second magnet, positioned on the first longitudinal member, when the deflecting mechanism is in the first position. 
 
 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the guidewire comprises one or more electrodes. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 8  further comprising a balloon catheter comprising one or more electrodes. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the one or more electrodes is located inside the balloon catheter. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the redirecting delivery catheter further comprises one or more radiopaque markers disposed near the opening. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first or second region has a helical exterior. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first or second region comprises a plurality of wires. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of wires comprise at least two different diameters. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of wires are configured to be electrodes or conductive wires. 
     
     
       17. A method of redirection of a guidewire, the method comprising:
 inserting a guidewire into a vessel of a patient; 
 advancing a redirecting delivery catheter over the guidewire, the redirecting delivery catheter comprising:
 a first longitudinal member having an inner chamber configured to receive the guidewire, an outer surface surrounding the inner chamber, a first region located at a proximal end, a second region located at a distal end, and a length; 
 an opening in the outer surface extending along a portion of the length of the first longitudinal member between the first region and the second region; 
 a deflecting mechanism located proximate to the opening and configured to be capable of transforming from a first position to a second position, wherein the deflecting mechanism is configured to enable the guidewire to access the second region when the deflecting mechanism is in the second position and to deflect the guidewire toward the opening when the deflecting mechanism is in the first position, wherein the advancing positions the guidewire partially in the first region; and 
 a support element coupled to the deflecting mechanism to support the deflecting mechanism in transforming from the first position to the second position, wherein the support element comprises one of a compressible circular ring configured to extend at least partially around the inner chamber when the deflecting mechanism is in the second position and to compress to a semicircular configuration when the deflecting mechanism is in the first position or a first magnet positioned on the deflecting mechanism to be in contact with a second magnet, positioned on the first longitudinal member, when the deflecting mechanism is in the first position; 
 
 retracting the guidewire into the first region to transform the deflecting mechanism from the second position to the first position; 
 advancing the guidewire toward the deflecting mechanism to redirect the guidewire toward the opening. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , wherein the guidewire is redirected in a direction lateral to a distal opening of the redirecting delivery catheter. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18  further comprising applying energy from the guidewire to limit lateral force from the redirection of the guidewire. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the guidewire comprises a 3-dimensional guidewire and advancing the 3-dimensional guidewire comprises rotating the 3-dimensional guidewire to limit lateral force from the redirection of the guidewire. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 19 , wherein the energy comprises radiofrequency, ultrasound, microwave, or laser. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 17 , wherein the guidewire is redirected to treat a bifurcation. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 17  further comprising aligning the opening of the redirecting delivery catheter with a target area using one or more radiopaque markers located near the opening. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 17 , wherein the guidewire comprises a conductive electrode at a distal tip. 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 24  further comprising advancing a second conductive electrode to a position near the opening to create a bipolar arrangement between the conductive electrode at the distal tip and the second conductive electrode.